Student teaching or internship evaluation instruments used in teacher education programs at 11 research universities were analyzed. Their emphasis on classroom management knowledge and skills may be contributing to what many teachers see as a frustrating concentration on management and a smooth-running classroom over attention to substantive…

Data from a national survey of administrators in 74 colleges and universities with student enrollments of over 20,000 identified characteristics of respondents' work experience, personal qualities and other factors that had been important in attaining administrative positions, and courses and in-service programs they believed were instrumental in…

Describes the Wisconsin Instructional Design System (WIDS), a partnership between colleges and industry that developed an instructional design model, software, video course for professional development, and training and consulting to enhance instructional effectiveness. Describes uses in secondary schools for performance-based instruction to…

Discusses 11 books that present thought-provoking ideas to help classroom teachers, parents, and administrators understand the world of developing literacy. Addresses a variety of professional books ranging from texts that focus on issues of race, to books that take up emergent literacy, to texts on beginning teaching. (SR)

By analyzing an unsuccessfully implemented project (a federally funded reading initiative), staff at a Michigan elementary school gained understanding about the countless dilemmas accompanying the change process. Real and lasting changes must be related to positive existing practices and require adequate time, support, and collaboration. (MLH)

This article explores four mentor-mentee relationships arranged through the Alliance 2000 Project. Faculty members of minority institutions of higher education worked with mentors (successful proposal writers, grant holders, and content experts) from other academic institutions during proposal development for submission to the Office of Special…

Knowledge Forum is Canadian software that enables elementary students in Nunavut to record and share their topics of investigation and those of their classmates, much as a community of scientists would. The goal is the creation of learning communities in which students collaboratively build knowledge and teachers facilitate. The software also has…

Weary of fighting with other districts for the best teachers, Fairfax (Virginia) County Schools adopted a more cooperative approach. The district is pursuing professional-development school agreements with four area universities. Similar recruitment partnerships are under way in Cleveland, Ohio; Tolleson, Arizona; and Olathe, Kansas. (MLH)

Evaluated the impact of student teachers on the public school teachers and students within the Professional Development Schools (PDS) in which they were placed. Data from observations, samples of student teacher and student work, and interviews with student teachers, mentor teachers, and principals indicated that the PDS-mediated collaborations…

Describes a teachers' professional development seminar presented by Virginia Community College System (VCCS). Reports findings of a survey of 53 faculty participants of the seminar, along with recommendations on improving the seminar's format and content. Includes survey instrument. (NB)

Fourteen theme articles discuss the following: curriculum ideas and innovations in agricultural education, agricultural literacy, Supervised Agricultural Experience, active learning, locating agricultural education resources, distance and web-based instruction, principles of forest management, professional development, and service learning. (JOW)

Examines the complex roles and responsibilities of Professional Development School (PDS) liaisons from the perspective of one liaison who has served in many capacities. She notes that her most intriguing challenge relates to differences among sets of roles and responsibilities, some of which are more hierarchical and some of which are more…

The SIP (Standards in Practice) instructional improvement program was successfully implemented in three El Paso school districts. Student scores have soared. Teacher development must be ongoing, site-based, and targeted to all students' specific needs. Teachers need strong verbal and math skills, deep content knowledge, and teaching skill. (MLH)

Argues that the issues of good teaching practice and professionalism are at risk of becoming marginalized in the developing market culture. Finds that a growing compliance of schools to middle-class parents may result in the overriding of teachers' professional judgments that do not mirror the perceived requirements of these "valued"…

Reports on a collaborative project developing CD-ROM multimedia resources for school leaders. Provides an overview of multimedia case-simulation concept, discusses collaborative project efforts with regional and state school leaders, highlights CD-ROM case design features, and summarizes preliminary findings associated with the Administrator Case…